What can I experience of local Thai culture and where should I go?

You'll find amazing authentic experiences all over Thailand but Chiang Mai is really special for getting hands-on with Thai cooking especially learning to make their famous Khao Soi. The Thailand Real Food Adventure takes you deep into the local food scene and you'll love discovering regional specialties. If you're interested in traditional crafts head to Krabi where the Essential Southern Thailand tour lets you try your hand at Batik making it's this beautiful fabric dyeing technique that's been around for generations. For a truly local experience you should definitely consider a homestay up in the northern hill tribes starting from Chiang Mai the Northern Thailand Hilltribes Trek takes you to villages like Ban Pha Mon and Ban Muang Pam where you'll live alongside locals learn basket weaving and see how they farm their land.

Where are the best natural areas outside the cities and how do I get to them?

Khao Sok National Park is absolutely incredible you've got to see Cheow Lan Lake while you're there. Getting there's pretty straightforward just hop on an overnight train from Bangkok then take a scenic boat ride. The park has the world's oldest evergreen rainforest and you can kayak on the lake even stay in these amazing floating bungalows the Thai Intro 9 Day tour includes all this. If you're heading south the Essential Southern Thailand tour takes you to Ang Thong Marine National Park it's this gorgeous archipelago you can reach by boat from Ko Samui perfect for swimming snorkeling and kayaking around limestone mountains and beautiful beaches.

What are some different ways to explore Thailand that most people don't know about?

There's this incredible 11-day Tuk Tuk adventure up in Northern Thailand where you actually get to drive your own Tuk Tuk it's such a unique way to see the country. You'll start and finish in Chiang Mai going through Doi Inthanon National Park Mae Sariang Mae Hong Son and Pai with experienced guides right there with you. TourRadar travelers really love how personal it feels and the scenery is just breathtaking. If you're into cycling the Cycle Southern Thailand tour is fantastic you'll ride quiet roads past limestone formations and rivers ending up on the beautiful Andaman Coast. It's great for really getting to know the area and the small group size makes it feel really special.

Which places should I visit that aren't too touristy but still really worth seeing?

Mae Sariang is this hidden gem near the Burmese border that most tourists miss it's got this wonderful mix of Thai and Burmese culture and such a peaceful vibe along the river. You can explore it on the 11-day Tuk Tuk Adventure there's time to check out local temples and try authentic street food. Another fantastic spot is Sukhothai Historical Park it's actually a UNESCO site but way quieter than Bangkok's temples. The Highlights of Thailand tour takes you there and you can bike around ancient ruins seeing incredible Buddha statues and learning about Thailand's Golden Age it's really fascinating.

What local foods should I try and where's the best place to find them?

You absolutely have to try Khao Soi when you're in Chiang Mai it's this amazing curry noodle soup with chicken or beef that's really special to Northern Thailand. The Thailand Real Food Adventure shows you all the best spots for regional dishes like this. When you're in Ayutthaya make sure to try Roti Sai Mai it's this unique dessert where they wrap thin pancakes around sweet cotton candy you can try it along with traditional boat noodles on the food tour. Down south the seafood is incredible especially in Phuket and Krabi where they use all these aromatic spices and herbs you'll find the best spots right on the beach.

Thailand Tours & Trips

The best Thailand tour packages

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Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
Thailand Classic In 12 Days - Bangkok/Chiang Mai/Phuket
4.5 (19 traveler reviews)
"This trip was absolutely amazing. We had great tour guides & service from Prestigo Asia was amazing."
Lisa, traveled in January
Destinations
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket
Age Range
1 to 90 year olds
Country Region
Chiang Mai
Operated in
English,German,Portuguese,French,Spanish+4 more
Operator
PrestiGo Asia
45% Off
Duration
12 days
From $4,615
NZ$2,539
$546 now + easy payments of $146
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15 easy payments$146
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Our most booked and loved tours
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Explorer Beach Family Christmas & New Year +1
Amazing Thailand In 9 Days
4.8 (71 traveler reviews)
"Wow!! What an amazing service, it was a wonderful experience all the places we saw, all the activities we live."
Susana, traveled in November
Destinations
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket
Age Range
1 to 89 year olds
Country Region
Chiang Mai
Operated in
English,German,Italian,Portuguese,French,Spanish,Chinese,Dutch,Russian+8 more
Operator
Realistic Asia
7% Off
Duration
9 days
From $1,589
NZ$1,478
+$584 local payments
$312 now + easy payments of $73
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17 easy payments$73
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17 easy payments$73
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Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
Island Hopping in Thailand In 9 Days
4.5 (12 traveler reviews)
"Beautiful beaches and wonderful memories! There was one hiccup where a hotel on Phi Phi was overbooked."
Deborah, traveled in November
Destinations
Phuket, Ko Phi Phi, Krabi
Age Range
1 to 99 year olds
Country Region
Southern Thailand
Operated in
English,German,Italian,Portuguese,French,Spanish,Chinese,Dutch,Russian+8 more
Operator
Realistic Asia
55% Off
Duration
9 days
From $2,224
NZ$1,001
+$417 local payments
$211 now + easy payments of $50
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17 easy payments$50
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Explorer Family Sightseeing Christmas & New Year +1
Fantastic Thailand - 9 Days
4.8 (66 traveler reviews)
"The tour was impeccably organized, with a perfect balance of sightseeing and leisure time."
Declan, traveled in June
Destinations
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Ko Phi Phi
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Country Region
Northern Thailand
Operated in
English,German,Spanish+2 more
Operator
Bravo Indochina Tours
10% Off
Duration
9 days
From $1,903
NZ$1,713
$172 now + easy payments of $103
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Explorer Beach Christmas & New Year +1
Best of Thailand - Feel Free Travel
5.0 (212 traveler reviews)
"I specifically chose this tour as it covered a lot of the key places including Chiang Mai and Pai in the North which actually turned out to be my two favourite places!"
Aaru, traveled in October
Destinations
Bangkok, Khao Sok National Park, Krabi, Ko Phi Phi,Chiang Mai,Pai+2 more
Age Range
18 to 39 year olds
Country Region
Southern Thailand
Operated in
English
Operator
Feel Free Travel
10% Off
Duration
15 days
From
NZ$2,835
$567 now + easy payments of $162
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14 easy payments$162
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In-depth Cultural Family Explorer Christmas & New Year +1
Fantastic Circle of Thailand Tour - 10 Days
4.6 (26 traveler reviews)
"Great, excellent we all have good time."
Pakamas, traveled in December
Destinations
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Mae Taeng,Chiang Rai,Phuket,Ko Phi Phi+3 more
Age Range
6 to 96 year olds
Country Region
Northern ThailandGolden Triangle Southeast AsiaChiang Mai+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Legend Travel Group
50% Off
Duration
10 days
From $5,143
NZ$2,572
+$416 local payments
$258 now + easy payments of $166
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14 easy payments$166
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In-depth Cultural Family Explorer Christmas & New Year +1
Highlights of Bangkok, Phuket 5 Days
4.3 (21 traveler reviews)
"Very friendly and knowledgeable guides. Very content with this tour."
Stephanie, traveled in May
Destinations
Bangkok, Phuket, Ko Phi Phi
Age Range
up to 96 year olds
Regions
Southern ThailandKoh Phi Phi+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Legend Travel Group
50% Off
Duration
5 days
From $2,189
NZ$1,095
+$416 local payments
$110 now + easy payments of $71
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14 easy payments$71
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Looking for tours beyond just Thailand?
Explore tours with itineraries going through multiple countries, including Thailand.
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In-depth Cultural Family Christmas & New Year +1
Thailand Islander In 9 Days
5.0 (3 traveler reviews)
"The accommodations were great, and the staff and tour guides were very good. The Thai food was delicious."
Bashar, traveled in August
Destinations
Phuket, Phang Nga Bay, Ko Phi Phi, Krabi
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Country Region
Southern Thailand
Operated in
English,German,Italian,Portuguese,French,Spanish,Chinese,Dutch,Russian+8 more
Operator
Vietnam Tour Fun
70% Off
Duration
9 days
From $3,893
NZ$1,168
+$584 local payments
$123 now + easy payments of $74
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15 easy payments$74
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In-depth Cultural Family Explorer Coach / Bus +1
Experience Thailand 6 Days, Small Group Tour (English Only)
4.0 (43 traveler reviews)
"His knowledge and demeanour were excellent."
Michael, traveled in February
Destinations
Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Lampang, Phayao,Golden Triangle Park,Chiang Rai,Chiang Mai+3 more
Age Range
10 to 99 year olds
Country Region
Northern Thailand
Operated in
English
Operator
Destination Services Thailand
10% Off
Duration
6 days
From $1,751
NZ$1,576
$348 now + easy payments of $93
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Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
Marvelous Thailand In 10 Days - Private Tour
5.0 (3 traveler reviews)
"Exploring the bustling streets of Bangkok and then relaxing on the beautiful beaches in Phuket. Each day felt like a new adventure."
Jeffery, traveled in August
Destinations
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Country Region
Northern ThailandGolden Triangle Southeast AsiaChiang Mai+2 more
Operated in
English,German,French,Spanish,Chinese,Russian+5 more
Operator
Vietnam Tour Fun
70% Off
Duration
10 days
From $5,815
NZ$1,745
+$872 local payments
$175 now + easy payments of $105
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15 easy payments$105
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